Thick silver clouds blanketed the sky, casting a dull morning light over the forest. A crow perched at the very top of a pine, cawing it's grim cry toward the undergrowth.

Mistypaw tread carefully over the forest floor, her attention fixed on a thrush up ahead, sitting on the lowest branch of a tree. I have to catch this... She swallowed nervously. What if I mess up? I'll fail the assessment! She paused, staring awkwardly at the bird as she contemplated her next move. She thought back to the hunting techniques that Revengeheart had taught her. As long as I remember them, I'll be successful.

She narrowed her eyes determinedly and moved forward through the grass, a soft breeze blowing into her face. The wind is still on my side. She thought gratefully. She inched closer and lowered herself to the ground, strewn with pine needles. She judged the distance between herself and the bird once more before leaping forward.

The bird let out an alarmed cry as she grasped it in her claws and slammed it to the ground, quickly biting into it's neck. She stood, holding the limp bird in her jaws proudly.

"Well done!" Stripednose emerged from the bushes behind her, nodding approvingly. He was followed by Song and Coldpaw. Normally, apprentices completed their assessments alone with their mentor, not joined by any others. After Hawkfeather's death two moons ago, Depthstar decided that any cat going into the forest should be accompanied by at least two other cats, just in case these murderous rogues were about.

Mistypaw beamed at his praise and hurried back toward the others, adding the thrush to her pile of mice and frogs. "So..." She looked at her mentor nervously. "Did I pass...?"

For a moment, the tortoiseshell tom gave nothing away. Then his blue eyes gleamed, and he let out a purr. "Of course you did!"

Her heart burst with excitement, and Coldpaw bounded forward to meet her, his tail high. "We're going to be warriors!" He purred.

We're really getting our warrior names today! Mistypaw could hardly believe it. After all these moons of training, it's finally time!

"Let's go back to camp," Song purred, curling her white tail. "We'll tell Depthstar the good news."

Mistypaw lowered her head and grasped her thrush, while Stripednose gathered the rest of her prey. She looked up toward Coldpaw, impressed to see two massive frogs, a thrush, and several mice that he and Song were scooping up. Coldpaw has become an incredible hunter. She thought in amazement. I think he's mastered skills that even Revengeheart doesn't know.

As they began heading back to camp, she brightened at the thought of the black-legged warrior. I can't wait to tell him I passed my assessment! I think I'll give him my thrush. She decided warmly. To thank him for his hunting advice.

As they reached the camp and deposited their prey on the fresh kill pile, Cobratail was sitting by the meeting rock, his tail curled over his black paws. When he spotted them, he rose. "I assume the apprentices passed?" He prompted.

"They certainly did," Stripednose meowed warmly. "You can tell Depthstar he'll be holding a warrior ceremony today."

"Excellent!" Cobratail purred and rested his amber gaze on the two young cats. "Congratulations, you two."

Mistypaw and Coldpaw lifted their chins proudly. "Thank you!" She purred. As the clan deputy turned away, she looked around for Revengeheart, excited to share her news. She spotted his broad white shoulders by the side of the clearing. He had his back to her, speaking with Blackstorm and Mottledface.

She let out a purr and grabbed her thrush, quickly crossing the clearing toward him. As she neared, she heard Blackstorm speaking.

"I don't want to waste time with young cats," The dark warrior was grumbling. "Why can't some other warrior deal with Poisonedsap's kits?"

"You know why!" Revengeheart let out a growl that surprised Mistypaw, and she slowed, hesitant to interrupt when he was angry. "The kits need to be trained by us, or they'll never fulfill their purpose."

Purpose? What sort of purpose does Poisonedsap want for her kits? Mistypaw wondered, puzzled. Surely it doesn't matter which warriors train them?

Mottledface's amber eyes flashed beyond Revengeheart at Mistypaw, and he gave a meaningful cough. Revengeheart quickly turned his head, eyes lit with mingled alarm and anger. "What?" He hissed.

Mistypaw started backwards in alarm. "I'm sorry-" She mumbled around the thrush, wondering if she should leave.

But Revengeheart's eyes quickly warmed, and his bristling fur flattened. "Oh, Mistypaw!" He chuckled and turned fully to face her. "Sorry, you startled me." He tilted his head while behind him, Blackstorm and Mottledface exchanged an amused look. "What's up?"

She hesitated before dropping the thrush. "I passed my assessment," She meowed, her excitement quickly returning.

Revengeheart stared at her for a moment before letting out a purr. "That's great! I'm proud of you."

"You are?" Mistypaw blinked at him shyly.

"Of course." Revengeheart lifted a black forepaw and licked it, swiping it over his ear. "Well done."

He's really proud of me. Mistypaw thought, beaming with pride herself. She hesitated before nudging her thrush toward him. "I-I want you to have this," She purred shyly. "To thank you for the hunting lessons and advice."

Revengeheart looked surprised, blinking down at the bird for a moment. Her heart pounded nervously. Isn't he grateful? Should I take it back? Then he met her gaze and purred loudly. "Thanks!" He lowered his head and sniffed at the thrush. "It's a good catch. You should hunt for me more often."

Mistypaw let out a purr of amusement, but the white warrior said nothing. That was a joke, wasn't it? Before she could ask, Poisonedsap's meow across the clearing caught her attention. She turned to see the queen padding out of the leader's den alongside Depthstar.

"So, you'll assign those cats as mentors?" Poisonedsap demanded.

The clan leader's tail swished with annoyance, as though this had been a very long disagreement. "Yes, Poisonedsap," He sighed. "I suppose there's no arguing with you."

The golden furred queen's eyes warmed with satisfaction. "Thank you, Depthstar," She purred. "I want the very best for my kits."

"Depthstar." Cobratail dipped his head as the leader approached. "Mistypaw and Coldpaw have passed their assessments."

The bluish black tom nodded. "Wonderful. I'll hold both ceremonies now." He sprang onto the meeting rock and faced his clan, raising his voice. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather for a clan meeting!"

As the clan began to gather, Coldpaw bounded over to Mistypaw, eyes shining. "Come on!" With a farewell purr to Revengeheart, she followed her brother toward the front of the crowd. Poisonedsap was following her kits toward the meeting rock.

"Hurry up, Falconkit!" Amberkit yowled as she and Spiderkit ran to sit in front of the rock.

Their brother ran after them on short legs. "I'm coming!" He squeaked. Poisonedsap growled and gave him a fierce nudge with her muzzle, and Falconkit yelped as he stumbled into Amberkit. His sister hissed and cuffed him over the ear. Behind Poisonedsap, Cougarfoot sat down and watched his kits uncertainly.

"Cats of ShadowClan," Depthstar began. "Once again, our clan is thriving with young cats. I'm honored to hold so many ceremonies for the future of ShadowClan." He looked down. "Spiderkit, Amberkit, and Falconkit. You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed."

"No kidding!" Amberkit squeaked impatiently.

Spiderkit's eyes widened, and he gave her a sharp nudge. "Shhh!"

Mistypaw frowned, wondering what Depthstar would say about Amberkit's rudeness. But the clan leader didn't seem to hear her comment. Or he decided to ignore it. "Spiderkit, Amberkit, and Falconkit, from this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Spiderpaw, Amberpaw, and Falconpaw."

As Mistypaw watched the kits exchange excited looks, she noticed a nick in Spiderkit's ear. Where could he have gotten that? She wondered in alarm. Kits don't get into fights!

"Revengeheart."

Her ears perked as Depthstar spoke her friend's name. A moment later, the tom strolled past her toward the new apprentices. "You are ready to take on an apprentice." The clan leader hesitated as he studied Revengeheart, seeming to choose his words carefully. "You are strong and experienced in battle. I trust that you will pass these skills down to Falconpaw, as well as teach him what it means to be a warrior."

Falconpaw's amber eyes were wide and nervous as he approached the broad shouldered warrior. Revengeheart bumped his nose against his rather roughly, his eyes narrowed with determination.

He'll be a great mentor. Mistypaw thought with a flash of admiration for him.

As Revengeheart and Falconpaw stepped aside, Depthstar went on. "Blackstorm, you will be mentor to Amberpaw."

The small golden she-cat looked at her mentor in awe before padding forward to meet him, eagerly touching her nose to his.

"And Mottledface, you will mentor Spiderpaw." Depthstar finished. As the two touched noses, the clan began cheering the names of the new apprentices.

"Amberpaw! Spiderpaw! Falconpaw!"

Poisonedsap's amber eyes glittered as she watched her kits with the mentors she had requested for them. Cougarfoot watched for a moment longer before turning away, his head low.

As the crowd quieted, Depthstar spoke again. "Additionally, two young cats have completed their training and are ready to become warriors." Mistypaw's heart skipped a beat as his blue gaze rested on her. "Mistypaw and Coldpaw, come forward."

Mistypaw stepped forward to take the place of the new apprentices at the front of the rock, staring up at her leader excitedly as Coldpaw joined her. It's time!

"I, Depthstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices." He began. "They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." He paused. "Mistypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Mistypaw's heart pounded in her chest. "I do."

"And Coldpaw," Depthstar turned his gaze to her brother. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Coldpaw meowed happily.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names." Depthstar paused. "From this moment you will be known as Mistybreeze and Coldpebble. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as full warriors of ShadowClan."

Mistybreeze's tail curled behind her as her heart beamed with joy. Mistybreeze! I'm a warrior now!

"Mistybreeze! Coldpebble!" The clan cheered.

She looked toward Revengeheart, expecting to see him cheering for her as well. But he was speaking to Falconpaw among the crowd. She tried to push away her hurt. He has an apprentice now. It's nothing personal.

"Mistybreeze! Coldpebble!" Diamondrain appeared at their side, her blue eyes filled with love and joy. "I'm so proud of you both!" She gave Coldpebble a lick on the head, then turned to nuzzle Mistybreeze. Crowmask watched from afar, and Mistybreeze thought she saw a flicker of pride in his eyes.

"Hey..."

Mistybreeze's fur prickled at Bloodfur's voice behind her. It had been moons since he'd made any attempt to speak to them. She resisted the instinct to turn around. I don't think I can look at his face without getting upset...

"I-I just wanted to congratulate you. You'll both make great warriors."

Go away! Mistybreeze shut her eyes, her heart throbbing with the same ache she had felt the day he yelled at she and Coldpebble. He already ruined our apprentice ceremony. I'm not letting him ruin this too. Revengeheart would agree.

Coldpebble too was ignoring Bloodfur. He narrowed his eyes at Mistybreeze and turned toward the fresh kill pile, gently nudging her. "Let's get something to eat," He suggested. "I'm starving!"

She forced a purr as she followed him. Though as they crossed the clearing, she couldn't resist casting a look over her shoulder.

Bloodfur stood near the dispersing crowd, his yellow eyes dull with sadness as he watched her and Coldpebble. Maybe now you'll understand how much you hurt us. Mistybreeze thought as she forced her attention away from him. But the image of Bloodfur's pained gaze burned in her mind.